Risks of High Potassium Levels

by Abigail Adams

High potassium levels can cause irregular heartbeat.

Hyperkalemia is a medical condition that occurs when a person has high potassium levels in the blood. Most people get adequate amounts of potassium each day from food sources. Foods rich in potassium include leafy green vegetables, beans, meat and seeds. The kidneys get rid of excessive potassium by sending it out of the body in urine. Damage to the kidneys, medical conditions and some medications may cause the body to keep too much potassium. High potassium levels can cause severe consequences, including death.

Blood Levels and Diagnosis

Normal blood potassium levels range between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter, and while any level above 5.2 millimoles per liter is high, levels greater than 7.0 millimoles per liter can cause serious consequences, notes MayoClinic.com. The diagnosis of hyperkalemia may occur because of blood tests rather than signs and symptoms a person feels. Many people do not experience any symptoms of the condition until more severe complications occur, such as heart damage.

Muscle Problems

One function of potassium is to help muscles work properly, and high potassium levels may affect muscular function. Muscles may feel fatigued and weak. With very high potassium levels, temporary muscular paralysis can occur. If the diaphragm, the muscle involved in breathing, is affected it can be life-threatening. High potassium in the blood may also cause unusual sensations, tingling and numbness. The numbness and tingling usually occurs in the hands and feet, notes the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Stomach and Intestinal Distress

High potassium levels may cause gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms can range from nausea and vomiting to stomach pain and diarrhea. People taking potassium supplements may also experience nausea, so it is important to report any stomach problems to the doctor in order to determine if the nausea is a side effect from the supplement or an indicator of high levels.

Heart Arrhythmia

The most severe risk of high potassium is its effect on the heart. Potassium helps regulate the electrical impulses that help the heart beat correctly. When potassium levels are extremely high, abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, can occur. This change in heart rhythm may even lead to a heart attack, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Some people may not feel any changes in pulse or heartbeat, but doctors see changes on a test of the electrical activity of the heart.

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About the Author

Abigail Adams began her freelance writing career in 2009, teaching others about medical conditions and promoting wellness by writing on online health and fitness publications. She is educated and licensed as a registered nurse, having received her degree from North Georgia College and State University.

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